BIRDS OF LOCH AND MOUNTAIN 133 



although the nest was within 30 yards of a 

 main road, along which electric cars were passing 

 every few minutes, the sitting bird was quite 

 indifferent to them. Whenever I mentioned to 

 keepers that there was a Grey Crow's nest in the 

 grounds, they almost invariably said : "Of course 

 you've poisoned them ? " and were very indignant 

 when I replied in the negative. 



Some ornithologists state that the Grey and 

 Carrion Crow are not two distinct species. In 

 Aberdeenshire, at all events, they not infrequently 

 interbreed, and in the above-mentioned instance 

 the hen bird was a Grey Crow, while the cock was 

 a Carrion. 



In the large deer forests of the Highlands, the 

 Grey Crows still live in comparative security, as 

 they prove very useful in eating up the entrails 

 of the deer which are shot. Keepers have told me 

 that immediately a rifle is fired in the forest the 

 Grey Crows approach on every side, so as to be 

 in time for the impending feast. , Should a wounded 

 deer die on the hills, the carcase is soon eaten by 

 the Hoodies. 



The Grey Crow is a fearless bird, and although 

 always making off when pursued by a bird with 

 young, he will not hesitate to attack any bird when, 

 in turn, his own nest is in danger ; and I have seen 

 one hotly pursuing a Golden Eagle, which was 

 making off as fast as possible. 



The Golden Eagle seems to dislike attacking 

 the Hoodie, and I have know Golden Eagles in 

 captivity refuse to eat young Grey Crows. During 

 winter the Grey Crow feeds principally on refuse 

 round the coast, but in the spring he is a deadly 

 enemy to a feeble sheep or new-born lamb. If he 



